Viticulture

Western Australias viticulture industry produces table grapes as well as grapes for the wine industry. There is a high demand for seasonal workers during grape harvesting and vine pruning with great opportunities for financial reward. Seasonal positions as a vineyard hand may involve activities such as planting vines, maintaining irrigation systems, vine maintenance and grape harvest.

Grapes are most often picked into a bucket, emptied into a larger cart and transported for processing. Seasonal work available will depend on the timing of the season and grape quality that year. There may also be opportunities packing table grapes, in cellar door sales or in the cellar operations.

Work requirements

Prior experience and training is an advantage, but will not be necessary for most seasonal positions. Particular care is required during harvest and pruning to avoid damage to the grapes and vines. Grape harvesting and vine pruning require working outdoors with grape harvesting requiring a good level of physical fitness due to the lifting, carrying and walking involved.

It is important to ensure you are eligible to work in Australia, and have obtained an Australian Tax File Number. Contact the Department of Immigration & Citizenship www.immi.gov.au, the Australian Taxation Office www.ato.gov.au or the Australian WorkPlace site www.workplace.gov.au for further information on working in Australia.

Training

Training for seasonal positions is typically conducted onsite. To establish a longer term career in the Viticulture industry contacts the WA Primary Industry Training Council on (08) 9359 4000, admin@wapitc.org , www.wapitc.org or Rural Skills Australia on (08) 9752 3665 or fredc@ruralskills.com.au

Where to find seasonal work

Job Network (To find an Australian Government Employment Service provider in your area) 13 62 68 www.jobnetwork.gov.au
The West Australian newspaper (look under R for Rural Employment) www.thewest.com.au
The Countryman, Farm Weekly or local newspapers -Visit the local Telecentre, Shire Council or Tourist Bureau for contacts in the local industry www.telecentres.wa.gov.au
The National Harvest Labour Information Service 1800 062 332 www.jobsearch.gov.au/harvesttrail
Workabout Australia (02) 6884 7777 www.workaboutaustralia.com.au
PGA Personnel (08) 9479 4544 www.pgapersonnel.org.au
Rural Enterprises (08) 9325 8411 www.ruralenterprises.com.au
The Job Shop (08) 9228 1457 www.thejobshop.com.au
Careerjet www.careerjet.com.au
The Wine Industry Association of Western Australia www.winewa.asn.au

Calendar of work

Region

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

South West

H

H

H

P

P

P

Great Southern

H

H

H

P

P

P

Esperance

H

H

P

P

Perth

H

H

P

P

P

Gascoyne

P

P

H

H

H = Grape Harvest

P = Vine Pruning

Major Growing areas

South West : Margaret River, Manjimup, Donnybrook, Pemberton.
Great Southern : Albany, Mount Barker, Denmark, Frankland River, Porongorups.
Perth : Perth Hills, Swan Valley, Peel.
Gascoyne : Carnarvon.